Dreams interpretation: Follow up and some possible meanings

Dreams interpretation: Follow up and some possible meanings

Hello everyone!

How is everyone’s weekend? I hope you are able to enjoy yourself and are doing good. After 2 busy weekends on my end, I am happy to be having a more relaxed one! So last week, I wrote an introductory post on dreams interpretation from an Indigenous perspective. You can read it here. Today, I thought I would write a follow up adding to what I already posted. So in my first post, I gave you an intro to dreams interpretation, integrating my background in psychodyamic psychology with an Indigenous perspective. Today, I want to go into more details about possible interpretations of certain dreams, or elements in dreams. But once again, when it comes to dreams interpretation, the dreamer knows best. So don’t take anything too literally here! I am just providing you with some guidelines. Here we go!

So once again

Just want to remind everyone that you know your dreams the best! You are in the best position to interpret your own dreams. Yes sometimes one needs guidance to do so. For example, Eduardo Duran in Healing the Soul Wound, discusses the possibility of interpreting dreams as part of a group. Think group therapy but focused on one of the participant’s dream. I, for one, think it is a fantastical idea! Think about it. The dreamer is present and can provide feedback and additional information. And the rest of the participants can try to guide the dreamer and examine with the dreamer certain parts of the dream. And guess what? Sometimes it is about looking at the different parts of the dream. As sometimes the whole dream is overwhelming to look at as a whole.

So one would look at certain parts to make sense of them. See how they resonate with the dreamer. See which parts are especially meaningful for the dreamer. As a therapist, I would not bring myself in the dream process. What I mean by that, is that I would not introduce any new material. I would help the dreamer possibly put pieces together, connect certain dots. But I would remain neutral. In psychodynamic psychology, Freud talked about the concept of free association. Well here it is a bit the same. You let the dreamer just take a moment to see what the dream brings up. Not just in terms of thoughts, but also feelings. Is the dream a memory, information and wisdom passed down from someone else, is it an indication of change, a flashback? Only by exploring what comes up and talking and feeling the dream, can one make sense of it.

Let me give you an example

So last weekend I woke up with a start after a nightmare. I had fallen asleep not too long before I had the dream and could not have been in a REM (rapid eye movement) sleep period yet. Which is weird, as REM sleep tends to produce the more vivid dreams. I woke up breathing hard, with a sense of panic. What was the dream you ask? Well in a nutshell, a friend of mine had died in the dream, killing himself. And I could see it coming but could not stop it as no one was listening to me. And the dream ended with my face a few inches away from his, with my arm stuck under him. So obviously, my first thought was “holy crap something happened to him!” But nope he was physically fine. So then what?

Well I started to look at it from a different angle. In part with an Indigenous perspective. Someone dying in a dream represents a big change. A transformation. A transition. And I know I am in a transition. That week I recognized a pattern I tend to put myself into and I put a stop to it. The death was a symbolic one too. The death of what I thought it was. I think, in the dream, I was giving myself a warning (the part where I knew it was coming but no one was listening). I did not listen to my instincts in real life. But after the dream, I did. And I am happy I did. Changes and transformation.

Other symbols in dreams

So that was one of my experiences. Once I got over the fact that it was not about my friend not being okay, but rather it was about me, it started to make sense. What are some other possible symbols in dreams? And what can they mean? Well, let’s take a look!

Seasons: As they are in real life, seasons or different climates in dreams tend to be about phases. Phases of development. It could mean you are reaching a different step or stage or that energy is flowing toward a change.

House: If you see a house in your dream, it typically represents you, the self. Your foundation if you will. Unless of course, you recognize the house. For example, it could be the house you grew up in. Then it could be associated with a memory.

Water: Within the Indigenous perspective water typically represents a flow. Even in real life 🙂 The force of water is great and strong. It can break through rocks. But it is also flowing and not rigid. Water in a dream can represent a rebirth, a journey, or the beginning of one. It is indicative of change, of a cleansing happening or needing to happen.

Children: As in real life, children are often associated with innocence. It can symbolize a new beginning in life. But it can also be associated with a regression. Even a childhood flashback. Only the dreamer would know which one it is.

Animals or birds: Well this one can mean quite a bit. As it can also depend on the animal or bird you see. As they all have their wisdom. You can learn more about animal symbolism here or bird symbolism here. So think about it this way: animals in dreams are guides, spirit guides. They can represent someone, an ancestor you have a conversation with. It can be the symbol of a loved one. Or even of the self. But listen as they have a message for you.

Flying: If you are like me, you might have dreamed more than once that you are flying. And at times falling. So what does that mean? Well it can be associated to a feeling of freedom. Think about how freeing it would be to fly in the sky! So it can be associated with a sense of freedom you have. Or it can also symbolize a feeling of being not grounded. Of needing to get clear of something and to ground oneself.

So there you have it. Some possible interpretations of symbols that come to us in our dreams. Dreams interpretation is not straight up people! As I said in my previous post, even when asleep, things don’t come straight up to consciousness. Noooo, they need to be distorted so they are not too scary to process. So one needs to look at what is going on in one’s life, see what possible messages can be hidden in the dreams. Unless it is a premonition. But that’s another topic altogether…

What are some of your experiences with dreams? Any experiences you want to share? Can you identify with any of those symbols? Share below and I will answer.

hi Garen
Well yes I think those are common themes among dreamers. It is hard to say without context but here are some ideas.
I think I have explained death in the article. It references a transformation, a change, a transition.
As for being naked, I think it would really depend on the context here (is there sexual activity, does it take place in an embarrassing way, etc). But it could be some sort of a rebirth, of shredding baggage in a sense. Running or being chased could be associated with a flashback. I would say that I would need to know who is chasing the dreamer. Is it a person, an animal, a spirit? Might be that the person has a message to communicate.
Falling: Are you talking about the type of falling one often does in dreams when one is about to fall (no pun intended…) in a deep sleep? Where one wakes up startled? I think that one is just a normal part of sleeping. If one is falling in the dream, I would look at the associated feeling. Does one feel free, as though one is flying? Or is a scary falling as though one feels one is losing control or feeling not grounded?
As for teeth falling out, hmmmmm, that’s a good question. I am honestly not sure about that one. A change of some sort maybe?
Again, it is hard without any context. So those would be general possible explanations. But they are a start for the dreamer.

I’ve had some of those dreams that you mentioned above. For example, water, house, children and flying. I’ve dreamt of my childhood home on many nights before. I think the memory is deeply ingrained in my subconscious. In those dreams, my relatives and sometimes my late mom would be there. Regarding water, sometimes I have dreams of going to the bathroom and that’s when I’ll know to wake up as I really have the urge to go. Lol.

Hi Yvonne
Yep I would say the bathroom dream is a common one! lol. I think it is great that your mother visits you in those dreams. Does she pass along any advice or wisdom? And some memories are deeper and do keep coming back as they still have something to tell us.

I’ve recently had a dream that left an impression on me, where I was in a mountain full of trees and green grass, and beautiful, almost castle like houses lined up in a large clearing. These houses were all connected to one another through these trees with their gnarling branches and green vines connecting the balconies of the houses like ropes.

This was one of the most pleasant dreams I’ve had in recent times, and I’m trying to figure out what it might have meant… maybe so I can have more dreams like it hehe.. any ideas for their meaning?

Hi
that sounds like an awesome dream indeed! Hmm maybe the houses represent different parts of your self? Unless the houses are familiar to you. But it might different parts of you being or getting connected.

i love how i was driven here, its serendipity. i had been having some strange dreams and was looking for a new creative release craft. it seemed random at the time but i decided to start learning to make dream catchers. i am in the far north and the dark here is getting to me – somehow i know creating them will help me, i dont understand how or why, but in my bones i know it. then i will be back, to decipher what i am supposed to learn from my dreams – thank you for being here for that – have an amazing day

hi Lori
go for it, learn how to make dreamcatchers! The dreamcatchers might also help you filter your dreams and obtain some clarity. Keep a dream journal too. If you wake up in the middle of the night after a dream, write it down. As even though we think we will, we don’t remember them in the morning…

Wow, you interpret dreams?! Maybe you could help me with some of these dreams’ meanings which I had before:
(a) Relatives who had passed away (we were not close);
(b) Being angry at someone;
(c) Someone ‘without a face’ (like just a blur?);
(d) Always unable to run fast (like trying to run against gravity).

Hi Susan
I would not say that I interpret dreams as the true interpretation lays within the dreamer. But guidance can be provided. Relatives who pass away seems, to me, like they might have wisdom for you. They are coming back with a message.
As far as being angry at someone, I am not sure as I guess it depends whom it is. Do you know the person? This might be you trying to work through a strong emotion through your dreams.
A person without a face, do you feel like you know that person? Maybe some missing information?
And unable to run, to me, could be a sign of feeling stuck, not free. Unable to move on, or run away from something.

Dream interpretation is a very interesting and useful skill and study to invest yourself into! The part where you talk about symbols and what they represent in dream is especially fascinating to me since a lot of my dreams have recurring symbols in them that are very vivid and play a significant role! Thank you for sharing this information!

I AM OF CHEROKEE DECENT MY GRANDMOTHER A SHAMAN, AND I AM A DREAM WALKER / A CONDUIT A NATURAL HEALER, I HOWEVER, DO NOT DREAM. YOU CAN IMAGINE MY ASTONISHMENT WHEN IN FACT, I DID DREAM, A FEW NIGHTS AFTER CELEBRATING WOLVES MOON, (JANUARY 22 HERE IN MY PART OF THE WORLD BUT THE 23RD WAS THE LAST PHASE), THIS IS THE TIME FOR CLARITY. I WAS GOING THROUGH SOME OF MY OWN ISSUES NOT HAVING DEALT WITH MY MOTHER’S PASSING AND MY CONNECTION WITH MY NATIVE AMERICAN HISTORY BEING RIPPED APART BY MY GRANDMOTHER’S DEATH (YEARS AGO). AND I OF COURSE GET MY ENERGY FROM THE EARTH AS AN EARTH SIGN, AND OF COURSE THE MOON AS WELL. MY DREAM WAS OF A NATIVE AMERICAN WOMAN – AN ANCESTOR, ONE I WAS NOT FAMILIAR WITH, BUT NOT AFRAID OF – VERY ELDERLY (DEPICTING OF COURSE AN ELDER) SHE DID NOT SPEAK AND I FELT NO FEAR, UNTIL SHE PUT A BERRY CLOSE TO MY MOUTH, I COULD SEE HER ALMOST AS THOUGH I WAS AWAKE – SEE MY ROOM – SMELL HER EVEN, AND AT FIRST THE THOUGHT OF EATING THIS BERRY SCARED ME – BUT AS SOON AS THE FEAR CAME IT WENT – AND I TOOK WHAT SHE GAVE AND IN SECONDS – SHE WAS GONE.. DAY’S LATER ANOTHER DREAM OF A PROFILE OF MY FACE – CUT ONLY ON THE RIGHT SIDE – FROM THE CHEEK DOWN TO AROUND THE JAWLINE.. NO PAIN WAS FELT AND AGAIN IT APPEARED AS AN IMAGE. IN THIS DREAM MY ANCESTOR WAS NOT PRESENT, BUT I COULD FEEL THIS MESSAGE WAS FROM HER.. DOES THAT MAKE SENSE?

Hi Shannon
well let me start with this. Does it make sense to you? Does it bring up anything for you? Does the berry signify anything to you or your ancestors that you know of? It seems like this ancestor had a calming influence and a wisdom to pass along.